Bad Taste in Your Mouth?

If you smoke, that's your likely culprit-it can damage taste buds and leave a perma-nasty flavor. If not, there are plenty of other possible causes, most of which require seeing your doctor or dentist. Drugs like antibiotics and antidepressants can dry out your mouth, encouraging the growth of stinky, sulfur-producing bacteria (but don't just discontinue taking the drug-talk to your doctor; who may recommend switching to another Rx).

Another common cause, especially if you've just noticed the bad taste in the last week or so, is an abscessed tooth, sinus infection or thrush, a fungal infection of the mouth. But if you've been dealing with this for more than a few weeks, it is most likely due to a chronic underlying problem such as gum disease, a vitamin deficiency or acid reflux-a treatable disease in which digestive acids wash up into your esophagus. Reflux is worsened by obesity, so we're seeing more and more cases. Get to your doctor; she can determine the cause and help.